Games review – Bayonetta will fly you to the moon

The first game release of the year is also destine to be one of the best with third person combat that makes Devil May Cry and God Of War look tediously tame.

Bayonetta (360) – we love Bayonetta (and the game too)

It seems absurd to think of such things already but this really could be our favourite game of the year. If it isn’t then 2010 is guaranteed to go down as a classic in gaming. Easily the best God Of War style roaming beat ’em-up yet seen, this is as paradoxical as its titular heroine: elegant and stylish, but also brutal, crude and completely unpredictable.

One of the main problems for this game is the disservice done describing it as a spiritual sequel to Devil May Cry. It’s an accurate description – it is by original creator Hideki Kamiya – but compared to this the older games now feel merely like preliminary sketches, preceding the true masterpiece. Which is not to say any individual element is wildly different, just refined and evolved to near perfection.

Despite the variety of abilities at her command, controlling the impossibly lithe Bayonetta is surprisingly easy. A button each for punch and kick allows access to a huge variety of moves, although it’s strategy that count in battle not rote learning of combos.

Utilising a bullet time effect by dodging enemy blows is a prime tactic, constantly tempting you into danger with the promise of turning the tables. The game quickly reveals additional layers – starting with torture attacks that range from slapping an enemy’s backside to ripping apart bosses with a demonic parrot made of your own hair.

Two pairs of weapons such as a sword, whip and heel-mounted guns can be switched in an instant and mid combo. Or you can buy extra moves (including ones that turn you into a panther or crow), combat aids and power-ups.

The game’s influences are many and obvious, including protracted homages to Sega classics such as OutRun, Super Hang-On and Space Harrier. There’s also more subtle nods to everything from God Hand and Okami to Super Mario Galaxy and Sonic. They don’t feel like steals though, but more like an extra set of exotic ingredients used to flavour an already gloriously rich interactive recipe.

Although you’ll occasionally grumble at the camera, lifeless backgrounds or long load times the game’s only really substantial fault is the storytelling. The dopy plot about a war between witches and angels makes for some gorgeously bizarre enemy designs but it generates cut scenes of such frequency you’re almost reminded of Metal Gear. The titular heroine always amuses though and the CGI action is amazing.

This is usually the point at which we have to insert a caveat about the game being impossibly hard, in the manner of Ninja Gaiden or indeed Devil May Cry. But actually it’s not. Unusually for a Japanese action game of this type this doesn’t want to punish you it just wants to entertain and surprise.

A goal it achieves with a cocksure level of competence that is surpassed only by Bayonetta herself.

In Short: One of the best third person actioners of all time manages to make Dante and Kratos look like amateurs.

Pros: Superbly versatile combat that’s both accessible and deep. Huge variety, great main character and fun homages.

Cons: The story and cut scenes are a complete waste of time. Minor camera problems and oddly inert levels.